Kerala is now poised to speed into a mode of transport that has so far been limited to tourist spots and amusement parks in the state- the monorail. Monorails are different from elevated rail systems. The Monorail has a single, narrow track which is usually elevated, but which can also be built at ground level or underground. The vehicles are wider than usual. They generally straddle a narrow guide way, though they can also be suspended from it. An elevated rail system, on the other hand, runs on conventional steel dual rails placed on a massive wide beam. The State Government is now planning to introduce monorails as a safe and efficient means of public transport in the cities of Trivandrum and Kozhikode. Of the three types of mass rapid systems- the metro, the Bus Rapid Transport System, or BRTS and monorail- the monorail was found to be most suitable for these two cities. Unlike Kochi, where the metro will be introduced, Trivandrum and Kozhikode do not have a ridership large enough for a metro. Moreover, the roads are not wide enough for a BRTS either. Trivandrum will be the first city to introduce this system, and Kozhikode, the second.
One Track, Many Advantages
The biggest advantage of the monorail is that it requires very little land- which in itself is a winning point in Kerala where land is at a premium. Monorails can be built on the medians of existing roads, without affecting the road traffic or disrupting life. The overall width of the cars is only three metres, while the guide way width is just 69to 80 cms. The reduced size of the support structures cuts down on costs. Monorails can negotiate steeper grades and sharper curves, and being elevated, there is no danger of a collision with surface traffic. Since the cars straddle the guide way, there is little chance of derailment, which adds to the safety factor. Monorails run on rubber tyres, which make them very quiet, and are non-polluting as they use electricity.
Proven Track Record
Trivandrum will have a 28 km long monorail, from Kazhakuttam to Balaramapuram. The system will have four cars capable of carrying 200 people at a time, and a speed of 40 kms per hour. In Kozhikode, the monorail will cover a distance of 35 kms, and run from the Airport to the Medical College. The Monorail System of Tokyo has already proven the practicality of this mode of public transport. Monorails have also proven their worth in Moscow, Sydney, Kuala Lampur and Las Vegas too The Chinese city of Chongqing has a monorail system that is the largest in the world and Shanghai has a 30.5 km long maglev monorail line in which the propulsion and lift are provided by powerful magnets. Trivandrum and Kozhikode will soon join this group of cities that have opted for this fast, safe, economical and green mode of transport, proving once again that Kerala is future-ready in every sphere of life.
No comments:
Post a Comment